Cerluten vs Dihexa

Molecular formula

C₁₁H₁₇N₃O₈ (representative primary component)

Molecular weight

319.3 g/mol (representative; complex contains peptides from 200-500 Da)

Half-life

Short plasma half-life for individual peptide components (minutes to hours); biological effects persist for weeks to months through epigenetic modifications to gene expression

Bioavailability

Oral and sublingual absorption via intestinal peptide transporters (PepT1); component peptides cross the blood-brain barrier; sublingual form bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism

CAS number

75007-24-8

Molecular formula

C₂₇H₄₄N₄O₅

Molecular weight

504.7 g/mol

Half-life

~12 days (following IV administration in rats)

Bioavailability

Orally active and blood-brain barrier permeable — specific oral bioavailability percentage not published

CAS number

1401708-83-5

Common

• Mild headache
• Mild drowsiness
• Mild GI discomfort
• Vivid dreams

Uncommon

• Transient sleep pattern changes

Serious

• No documented serious adverse effects

Common

• Headache
• Vivid dreams or altered sleep patterns
• Emotional sensitivity
• Mild fatigue during adjustment

Uncommon

• Gastrointestinal discomfort

Serious

• Theoretical oncogenic risk from c-Met activation

Evidence level

Limited human trials

FDA status

Research compound

Safety overview

Cerluten is a peptide extract from cerebral tissue of young animals that is not FDA-approved and lacks rigorous clinical safety data. As an undefined mixture of peptides and proteins from animal sources, quality control and batch consistency cannot be guaranteed. Potential risks include allergic reactions to animal-derived proteins, contamination with microbial pathogens or prions, and unknown long-term immunological effects. No comprehensive safety studies have been conducted in humans, and the active pharmaceutical components have never been identified or standardized. The product exists primarily in Russian and Eastern European medical markets without Western regulatory oversight.

Contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or bovine-derived products
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
• Active CNS infection — treat infection before initiating peptide bioregulator therapy
• Prion disease concerns — although manufacturing processes include purification to remove proteins > 5 kDa, individuals with heightened prion risk should exercise caution

Evidence level

Preclinical only — animal and cell-culture studies; no human trials

FDA status

Research compound

Safety overview

Dihexa has demonstrated a favorable safety profile in published animal studies, with no reported tumorigenic effects or organ toxicity at cognitive-enhancing doses. However, the compound has not undergone formal human clinical trials, and long-term safety data does not exist. [7] The primary theoretical safety concern is sustained activation of the HGF/c-Met proto-oncogenic pathway, which could theoretically promote tumor initiation or growth. [7] The extremely long half-life (~12 days) [6][7] raises additional concerns about compound accumulation with chronic daily dosing. Anecdotal reports from the nootropics community generally describe good tolerability at doses of 5-20 mg daily, with headaches and vivid dreams as the most commonly reported effects.

Contraindications

• Known or suspected malignancy — c-Met/HGF pathway activation may promote tumor growth
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no safety data available
• History of cancer, particularly HGF/c-Met-driven tumors (hepatocellular, gastric, lung)
• Severe hepatic impairment